Carbon dating of the bones has not been done, but scientists are estimating their age based on other evidence uncovered at the site.

BLM archaeologists turned over control of the dig to the Antiquities Section of the Utah Division of State History, said Marietta Eaton, the monument's assistant manager for cultural and earth sciences.

The state controls finds on state and private land.

Eaton said because of the 400-mile distance between state antiquities offices in Salt Lake City and Kanab, Utah, officials asked BLM archaeologists to act as their agents to evaluate the site and remove the bones so Willardson can continue to work on his sod farm.

State Archaeologist Kevin T. Jones said that once the amount of remains and artifacts that would be affected by Willardson's work are documented and removed, they will be sent to Salt Lake City for further study.

When that work is completed, tribes in the area, including the Hopi, will be informed of the findings so they can repatriate the remains and any artifacts found with them. The Hopi are one of the tribes that claim to be direct descendants of the Anasazi, who settled the Four Corners region.

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